Universal minimal waste dispensing tip

ABSTRACT

An applicator for a syringe is provided that includes a hub configured to be disposed at least partially within a nozzle of the syringe and defining a fluid passage therethrough, with one or barbs on the hub that frictionally and sealingly engage an interior of the nozzle in a manner minimizing void space associated with waste of deliverable material, and an applicator tip extending distally from the hub. The barb(s) may have varying diameters in order to enable the applicator to be engaged and utilized with syringes having different diameter nozzles. Further the fluid passage through the hub and applicator tip is dimensioned to minimize the volume of material that is retained within the applicator after use, thereby increasing the volume of material that can dispensed from the syringe for use in a procedure or procedures and minimize waste.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application which claims priorityto U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/770,464, filed Nov. 21, 2018and under 35 USC § 120 to U.S. application Ser. No. 29/692,825, filedMay 29, 2019, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The presently disclosed embodiments relate generally to syringes andmore specifically to a dispensing applicator or applicator tip that isattachable to the syringe in order to direct material dispensed from thesyringe with decreased or minimized waste and/or material-retention.

BACKGROUND

In various types of medical and dental procedures it is often necessaryfor an individual to dispense an amount of a fluid onto a surface beingtreated. The fluids can have various purposes, such as to sterilize,anesthetize, clean or treat in some manner the surface being examinedduring the procedure.

In order to precisely deliver the fluids onto the surface for thedesired purpose, a number of different delivery systems have beendeveloped. One such delivery system is a syringe. The syringe is formedwith a barrel containing an amount of the fluid to be dispensed and anozzle at one end of the barrel from which the fluid is expelled fromthe barrel. Opposite the nozzle, a plunger is slidably positioned withinthe barrel and includes a bung that contacts the fluid within thebarrel. The plunger can be moved within the barrel in order to compressthe fluid via the bung to urge or force the fluid from within the barrelout of the syringe through the nozzle. The amount of fluid dispensedfrom the nozzle is controlled by the force applied to the fluid via theplunger, and thus the individual can determine the amount of fluid to bedispensed.

With these syringes, a suitable applicator, such as a those including aneedle extending outwardly from a plastic assemblage, among others, issecured to the nozzle opposite the barrel to direct the flow of fluidfrom the nozzle and inject or apply various medical materials andmedicaments. To secure the applicator to the nozzle, a suitableengagement structure is formed on the nozzle that is engageable with acomplementary structure disposed on the applicator. Typically these“applicators” are called “applicator tips” (these words are usedinterchangeably throughout the document).

By far the most common syringe and applicator connection is formed bythe luer taper in which the syringe nozzle is formed with a 6% taperedsurface on the exterior of the nozzle tip that allows for a fluid tightconnection when mated with an applicator that has an assemblage with aninterior surface having a complementary 6% taper. The assemblage alsoincludes an engagement structure, to facilitate a lock or a slipconnection with the nozzle. In the luer lock connection, an exteriorflange on the assemblage is engaged with threads located on the exteriorof the nozzle or on the interior surface of a sheath spaced from andsurrounding the nozzle. In the luer slip connection, the frictionbetween the interior 6% taper surface of the assemblage and the exterior6% taper surface of the nozzle hold the applicator on the nozzle,optionally in conjunction with a locking member on the assemblage thatengages the nozzle.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the current construction of a currently-availabletip/hub 17 forming the part of the applicator that is used to connectthe applicator to a syringe 15 is configured to fit over and around thedistal tip/nozzle 15 x of the syringe at its distal end and results in asignificant amount of unintended waste of the material to be dispensedfrom the syringe. Although the entire syringe barrel is not expresslyillustrated in this prior art drawing, those of skill in the art willreadily appreciate how the hub 17 fits with the distal tip/nozzle 15 xof a standard syringe 15 that includes a distal-extending lip 15 yaround that tip 15 x. More specifically, the portion of the hub of theapplicator that extends between the distal terminus of a syringe nozzle17 a and a proximal end 17 c of a needle as indicated in FIG. 1essentially functions as a reservoir 17 b for unused material within theapplicator. When the syringe's plunger 15 w is pressed completely intothe barrel of the syringe 15, any material to be dispensed from thebarrel is urged out to and through the applicator 17. However, becausethe material exiting the needle must be acted upon by additionalmaterial positioned between the needle and the plunger and being pressedby the plunger, when the plunger has reached the limit of its movementwithin the barrel, the material remaining in the hub (between theplunger 15 w and proximal needle end 17 c) cannot be pressed out throughthe needle, and thus is wasted. Although the actual volume of thematerial remaining unused in the hub is relatively small, in numerousprocedures where a single syringe is used repetitively to dispense thematerial through a number of successively applied applicators, this canresult in a significant amount of material wasted. As an example, dentalpractitioners will typically use 35 mg of a bioceramic, such as BCsealer, available from Brasseler (Savannah, Ga.), to fill voids duringan endodontic procedure and/or an apicoectomy surgical procedure. Thebarrel of the syringe of the BC sealer contains 2 g of bioceramic, whichdirectly translates to 57 procedures that can theoretically be performedusing the amount of bioceramic contained within the syringe. However,this analysis does not take into consideration the amount of materialwasted within each applicator, which is replaced for each procedure forobvious hygienic and other purposes, although the syringe is able to beused across multiple procedures. Nevertheless, testing on syringesincluding these amounts of material and using conventional applicatorshaving the hubs shown in FIG. 1 have shown that approximately 82 mg ofmaterial remains unused within the hub per procedure, thereby limitingthe dental practitioner to 17 actual procedures per syringe. Compared tothe amount of material actually used in a typical procedure (i.e., 35mg), 2.3× that amount of material is left unusable within theapplicator. For every one procedure performed, therefore, the dentalprofessional wastes 2.3 procedures within each applicator with a cost inprice and materials associated with losing about 40 procedures.

One prior art attempt to address this issue is disclosed in U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. US2016/0008545, entitled Low Waste SyringeAnd Needle Assemblage, the entirety of which is expressly incorporatedherein by reference except that terms defined herein shall weigh overany definitions in said reference. In the '545 application, the lowwaste needle syringe includes a syringe tip that is formed with anoutward taper of its inner diameter in order to mate with acomplementary frusto-conical member of a needle assembly. The smoothouter surface of the frusto-conical member contacts the smooth innersurface of the tip to align a needle base with the exterior of the tip.The base includes threads that engage a flange on the exterior of thetip in a manner to secure the base to the syringe tip. While reducingthe volume of interior of the needle assembly, and thus reducing theamount of unused material remaining within the needle assembly afteruse, the structure of the needle assembly requires a specificconfiguration for the tip that differs significantly from existingsyringe configurations, as it requires the syringe to include amating/reverse frusto-conical shape to receive and contactingly matewith the '545 publication's tip. As such, the needle assembly disclosedtherein needs a custom/complementary syringe design that does notencompass the vast majority of existing commercially available syringedesigns.

Accordingly, it is desirable to develop an applicator for attachment tocommon/commercially available syringes, which applicator is configuredfor significantly reducing the amount of unused material retained withinthe applicator after use. It is also desirable that the applicatorinclude a universal connector that can be utilized with syringes havingdifferent nozzle or syringe tip configurations.

BRIEF SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

There is a need or desire for an applicator that reduces the amount ofunused material retained within the applicator after a use that may beone of a plurality of use instances of a syringe with applicators beingexchanged for each use, and that can be securely engaged withconventional syringes selected from multiple possible nozzle or syringetip configurations, and/or with other material-delivery products (e.g.,bottles, mixing applicator tips, plastic delivery/applicator tips, metaldelivery/applicator tips, or others).

According to one exemplary non-limiting aspect, a universal applicatorincludes a hub that is engaged with the nozzle or tip of a syringe andan applicator tip that extends outwardly from the hub. The hub andapplicator tip define a passage within the applicator through whichmaterial can flow to be dispensed from the applicator.

The hub includes a main body from which the applicator tip extends. Themain body has a diameter greater than the diameter of a correspondingnozzle or syringe tip, and includes a neck extending outwardly from thehub opposite the applicator tip. The neck has a first section disposedimmediately adjacent the hub and having a diameter less than that of themain body. The neck also optionally includes a second section extendingoutwardly form the first section opposite the main body, the secondsection having a diameter less than that of the first section. Each ofthe first and second sections includes an engagement structure disposedon the exterior of the first and second section. The engagementstructure can frictionally engage the interior surface of a nozzle orsyringe tip in order to secure the applicator to the nozzle or syringetip to enable fluids to be dispensed from the syringe and through theapplicator.

According to one exemplary, non-limiting embodiment, an applicator isconfigured to be secured to a syringe, where the applicator includes ahub defining a fluid passage therethrough and including at least onebarb thereon, the barb configured to frictionally engage an interior ofa syringe nozzle, and an applicator tip extending outwardly from thehub, where said barb will be understood to include one or moreprotrusions, including a frustoconical structure that protrudes around aproximal portion of the applicator.

According to another exemplary non-limiting embodiment, a syringeincludes a barrel configured to hold an amount of material therein, thebarrel defining an open end and a nozzle opposite the open end; aplunger disposed at least partially within the open end and including abung sealingly engaged between the plunger and the barrel; and anapplicator including a hub disposed at least partially within the nozzleand defining a fluid passage therethrough, the hub having at least onebarb thereon, that frictionally and sealingly engages an interior of thenozzle, and an applicator tip extending outwardly from the hub.

According to still a further aspect of one exemplary non-limitingembodiment, a method of dispensing a fluid from a syringe includes thesteps of providing a syringe comprising a barrel including an amount offluid therein, the barrel defining an open end and a nozzle opposite theopen end, a plunger disposed at least partially within the open end andincluding a body and a push pin extending from one end of the body, aseal plate slidably mounted to the push pin and a bung disposed over theseal plate and the push pin, the bung contacting the fluid and sealinglyengaged between the seal plate and the barrel, applying a force to theplunger to press the push pin through the seal plate and against thebung to dispense the fluid from the nozzle and removing the force on theplunger to cease dispensing the fluid from the nozzle. And according toyet a further aspect of one exemplary non-limiting embodiment, a methodof dispensing a fluid from a syringe includes steps of applying a forceto an applicator to insert a hub at least partially into an interior ofa nozzle of a syringe to frictionally and sealingly engage at least onebarb of the hub with the interior of the nozzle; and applying a force ona syringe plunger to urge the plunger into a syringe barrel and todispense a material through the nozzle and through the applicatormounted to the nozzle.

According to another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, someembodiments accomplish the need or desire of providing for materialwaste reduction with a tip universally connectable tostandardly-available (e.g., compliant with ISO 594-1 and/or 594-2standards) syringes by describing an applicator tip that utilizes atleast one frustoconical-shape within the applicator tip's hub tofrictionally mate with the inner diameter of the nozzle of conventionalsyringes. As such, the term “universal” refers to the fact that thepresently disclosed embodiments are constructed to connect with standardand readily-available syringes in a secure manner that will markedlyreduce material-usage waste in comparison with other applicator tipsthat are presently known. In particular aspects of certain embodiment,at least one frustoconical-shape within the applicator tip's hub isdisposed directly adjacent to a cylinder of reduced diameter to form atleast one barb shape, where the cylinder and frustoconical ornon-frustoconical protruding barb element together form a neckimmediately adjacent to a larger diameter hub body. Ideally, theapplicator tip's hub contains wings or ridges to facilitate mating ofthe tip with the syringe by providing gripping surface(s) for a user.The applicator tip's hub may snap into the inside of a syringe nozzleand rely on a friction fit between at least one barb (frustoconical)shape of the applicator tip's hub and the inner diameter of the syringenozzle. Additionally, the applicator tip's hub may also include a luerlock connection as described in greater detail below to offer an evenmore secure fitment between the applicator tip and syringe. Theapplicator tip also includes an applicator end that can be of variousmaterials and sizes for various clinical uses and applications, althoughsizes of the applicator end may often be between 16 ga and 33 ga.Further, the applicator tip is constructed to include a fluidcommunication pathway throughout its length such that material isexpelled from the syringe through the at least one barb/frustoconicalshapes, through the applicator end, and then out of the distal-mostterminal tip of the applicator.

It should be understood that the brief description above is provided tointroduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are furtherdescribed in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify keyor essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of whichis defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description.Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited toimplementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any partof this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate non-limiting examples of embodiments presentlycontemplated for carrying out the disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art luer taper applicator.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an applicator according one exemplaryand non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 3 is side elevation view of a hub of an applicator hub elementaccording to one exemplary and non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 4 is top plan view of the hub of FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 is cross-sectional view along line 5-5 of FIG. 3 .

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the hub of FIG. 3 .

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of an applicator secured to a syringeaccording to one exemplary and non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the syringe and applicator of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a detail view within arced line 9-9 of FIG. 8 .

FIG. 10 shows an illustrative example of a non-limiting embodiment wherethe entire applicator (i.e. hub and applicator tip) is molded as onepart.

FIGS. 11A-11B show, respectively, illustrative examples of variousconventional applicators and various non-limiting embodiments. Here, theapplicator tip portions of the devices are identical and the hub portionis either conventional (FIG. 11A) or a non-limiting illustrativeembodiment of the inventive hub (FIG. 11B). The applicator tip is bondedto the hub via adhesive or other bonding means in either case, or insome embodiments the applicator tip and hub can be injection molded asone piece.

FIG. 12 shows a diagrammatic barb as a frustoconical element.

FIG. 13 shows a lengthwise cross-section of another embodiment of anapplicator tip.

FIG. 14 visually contrasts two different prior art tips versus the tipof FIG. 13 with views showing before and after extrusion of materialthrough each, diagrammatically portraying actual samples.

FIG. 15 shows a lengthwise cross-section of another embodiment of anapplicator tip, similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 2-9 .

FIG. 16 shows a lengthwise cross-section of still another embodiment ofan applicator tip, similar in many respects to the embodiment of FIGS.2-9 .

FIG. 17 illustrates the set-up of a pull force test with the embodimentof FIG. 16 and a syringe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments are described below with reference to the drawingsin which like elements generally are referred to by like numerals. Therelationship and functioning of the various elements of the embodimentsmay better be understood by reference to the following detaileddescription. However, embodiments are not limited to those illustratedin the drawings, and it is to be understood that other embodiments maybe utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. Itshould be understood that the drawings may be, but are not necessarilyto scale, and in certain instances details may have been omitted thatare not necessary for an understanding of embodiments disclosed herein,such as—for example—conventional fabrication and assembly. The followingdetailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting senseunless expressly stated to be so, including with reference toscale/proportions of drawing figures.

The invention is defined by the claims, may be embodied in manydifferent forms, and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey enabling disclosure to those skilled in the art. As used in thisspecification and the claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Reference herein to any industry standards (e.g., ASTM, ANSI, IEEE, ISO,and/or other published standards) is defined as complying with thecurrently published standards as of the original filing date of thisdisclosure concerning the units, measurements, proportions, materials,and other testing criteria communicated by those standards unlessexpressly otherwise defined herein. The terms “proximal” and “distal”are used herein in the common usage sense where they refer respectivelyto a handle/doctor-end of a device or related object and atool/patient-end of a device or related object. The terms “about,”“substantially,” “generally,” and other terms of degree, when used withreference to any volume, dimension, proportion, or other quantitative orqualitative value, are intended to communicate a definite andidentifiable value within the standard parameters that would beunderstood by one of skill in the art (equivalent to a medical deviceengineer with experience in this field), and should be interpreted toinclude at least any legal equivalents, minor butfunctionally-insignificant variants, standard manufacturing tolerances,and including at least mathematically significant figures (although notrequired to be as broad as the largest range thereof).

Referring to FIG. 2 , one exemplary non-limiting embodiment of anapplicator 120 includes hub 122 configured for connection to a syringe20 (see, e.g., FIG. 7 ) and an applicator tip 126 that extends outwardlyfrom the hub 122.

The applicator tip 126 is formed to be hollow or tubular in shape andprovides the directional outlet for a fluid or material to be dispensedfrom the syringe 20 through the applicator 120. The tip 126 defines amaterial passage 128 that extends the length of the tip 126 and hub 122through which the material dispensed from the syringe 20 can flow. Thetip 126 may be constructed in a variety of styles, configurations, ordesigns that vary depending upon the desired use for the applicator tip126 and/or the type of material to be dispensed form the tip 126,non-limiting examples of which are shown in FIGS. 11A-11B. In certainexemplary and non-limiting embodiments (see, e.g., FIG. 10 ), the tip126 can be formed as a unitary molded piece that is integrally formedwith the hub 122, or a separate type of tubing formed from a suitableplastic or metal, optionally in conjunction with synthetic or naturallyoccurring fibers, e.g. a flocked fiber or brush component 199 (not shownhere, but see the center embodiment of FIGS. 11A-11B), which is securedin a suitable manner as a terminal member to the end of the tip 126opposite the hub 122. Tip 126 can also include other terminal members orstructures, such as a pad (not shown) formed of a suitable material andaffixed to the tip 126 via established means or methods such asadhesives, epoxies, ultrasonic bonding, or others.

In the exemplary and non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 2 , the tip 126 isformed as a tube 129 defining the passage 128 therethrough and having alower portion 130 connected in axial alignment with the hub 122 and anupper portion 132 connected to and extending outwardly from the lowerportion 130 opposite the hub 122 by a bend 134. The lower portion 130has a consistent diameter along its entire length while the uppersection 132 narrows in diameter from the bend to the outlet 136 via ataper or step. Alternatively, the upper section 132 can maintain itsdiameter from the bend 134 to the passage 128. In some embodiments, thetip 120 is molded as a single piece and bent via a post-processing stepto a desired arc or bend 134.

Looking now at FIGS. 2-6 , the hub 122 of the applicator 120 isillustrated as being formed of a material similar to that used to formthe tip 126, such as a suitable plastic material. The material used toform the hub 122 includes an inherent resiliency to the material, suchthat the material can be flexed when compressed without breaking andthen can partially or fully return to its original shape when thecompression is removed. Certain suitable materials for the hub 122 thatinclude this property include, but are not limited to, polyethylene,polypropylene, or nylon, and other compressible materials of suchdurometer and resilience that those of skill in the art will appreciatethe structural and functional appropriateness for the presentlydisclosed embodiments. The properties of these materials also enable thehub 122 to be formed from the material in a variety of suitable moldingprocesses, such as injection molding processes, among others. Theparticular molding process for forming the hub 122 can additionally beutilized to form an applicator tip 126 integrally with a hub 122, whendesired.

In the illustrated exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, the hub 122 isformed with a main body 138 and a neck 140 extending in axial alignmentoutwardly from the main body 138 opposite the tip 126. The main body 138is generally cylindrical in shape, though other cross-sectional shapescan also be employed, and includes an upper surface 144, a lower surface146 and a side wall 148 extending between the upper surface 144 andlower surface 146. The side wall 148 is joined to the upper surface 144by a first beveled surface 150 and to the lower surface 146 by a secondbeveled surface 152. However, the first beveled surface 150 and secondbeveled surface 152 may optionally be removed. The upper surface 144includes an aperture 154 that communicates with a passage 156 extendingthrough the main body 138. Opposite the aperture 154, the passage 156terminates in an opening 158 formed in the lower surface 146. In oneexemplary embodiment, the passage 156 tapers as it extends through themain body 138 from the opening 158 to the aperture 154, which can beformed as desired, such as with a smoothly tapering inner surface or, asin the exemplary and non-limiting illustrated embodiment with a numberof successively narrowing concentric passage sections 160,162,164.Alternatively, in another embodiment, the passage 156 can be a cylinderof constant diameter from the aperture 154 through the main body 138 andneck 140.

The hub 122 also includes the neck 140, which is disposed on the lowersurface around the opening 158. The neck 140 includes a first section166 disposed on the lower surface 146 around the opening 158 and asecond section 168 located on the first section 166 opposite the lowersurface 146. The first section 166 includes a cylindrical portion 170extending outwardly from the lower surface 146 and a sloped portion 172disposed on the cylindrical portion 170 opposite the lower surface 146.The cylindrical portion 170 has a constant diameter along its length,which can be between 1.5 mm and 3.5 mm, yet may be between 2.2 mm and2.7 mm, and in one exemplary embodiment is 2.45 mm, while the slopedportion 172 has diameter larger than the cylindrical portion 170 at oneend 174 immediately adjacent the cylindrical portion 170, which can bebetween 4.0 mm and 3.6 mm, may be between 3.1 mm and 2.4 mm, and in oneexemplary embodiment is 2.6 mm, and a diameter smaller than thecylindrical portion 170 at its opposite end 176, which can be between1.0 mm and 1.6 mm, may be between 1.8 and 2.3 mm, and in one exemplaryembodiment is 2.1 mm. The end 174 having the larger diameter has asurface that is sloped out and forms a barb 178 that can be compressedto frictionally engage a surface against which the barb 178 is pressed.In view of FIGS. 2, 5, and 6 , it will be understood that the barbs 178,188 are illustrated as being formed by frustoconical structures thatencircle and may be coaxial with the central passage 156, but it shouldbe appreciated that other frustoconical engagement structures as well asnon-frustoconical barbed structures may be used for the engagement andsecurement described with reference to those barbs 178, 188, includingconstructed for force-fit engagement and/or for edge-grip engagement. Byway of further illustration, FIG. 12 diagrammatically illustrates anisolated barb as a frustoconical shape containing a circle of diameterD1, a circle of diameter D2, and a length, L1, between the circles thatdefine upper and lower boundaries of the frustoconical shape. Therefore,the defined taper percentage of a frustoconical shape is calculated asfollows: Taper percentage=(|D2−D1|/L1)*100%. Alternatively, thisparticular aspect of the present disclosure can be defined by the angleof the frustoconical shape's taper, α. Stated differently, when viewedin vertical section as in FIGS. 5, 13, 15, and 16 , a frustoconicalengagement element can function to engage an opposed surface with edgesand/or surfaces—along different elements of that element, including withsharp projections/edges/points as well as (or in the alternative) byother surfaces.

The second section 168, which may optionally be omitted in someembodiments, is formed similarly to the first section 166 with acylindrical portion 180 disposed against the first section 166 and asloped portion 182 extending outwardly from the cylindrical portion 180.In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the cylindricalportion 180 corresponds to the diameter of the end 176 of the slopedportion 172, while the diameter of sloped portion 182 has a diameterlarger than the cylindrical portion 180 at one end 184 immediatelyadjacent the cylindrical portion 180, which can be between 1.8 mm and2.5 mm, and in one exemplary embodiment is 2.25 mm, and a diametersmaller than the cylindrical portion 180 at its opposite end 186, whichcan be between 1.6 mm to 2.0 mm, and in one exemplary embodiment is 1.8mm. The end 184 having the larger diameter forms a barb 188 that can becompressed to frictionally and sealingly engage a surface against whichthe barb 188 is pressed to form a fluid-tight seal. The cylindricalportion 180 may vary in length depending on the surface against whichthe barb 188 is pressed, however, the length of the cylindrical portion180 should be sufficient enough to allow proper mating of the tip 120 toa syringe 20 (FIG. 7 ). In certain embodiments, the cylindrical portion180 is between 0.1 mm and 10 mm; in other embodiments the cylindricalportion 180 is between 0.25 mm and 5 mm, while in yet other embodimentsthe cylindrical portion 180 is between 0.4 mm and 1 mm, and in oneexemplary embodiment the cylindrical portion 180 is 0.4 mm.

The first section 166 and second section 168 combine to form a passage190 extending through the neck 140 that is in axial alignment andcommunicates with the passage 156 in the main body 138 to allow fluid orother materials to pass through the hub 122 formed by the main body 138and the neck 140. The passage 190 can be can be formed as desired, suchas with a smoothly tapering inner surface or, as in the exemplaryillustrated embodiment with a number of successively narrowingconcentric passage sections 192,194, or as a cylindrical passage withgenerally constant diameter.

Looking now at FIGS. 7-9 , in the illustrated exemplary and non-limitingembodiment, the applicator 120 is shown attached to a syringe 20. Thesyringe 20 has a barrel 22 that defines an interior volume forcontaining a fluid (not shown) that includes an open proximal end 25 anda distal nozzle 26 disposed at the opposite end of the barrel 22. Thebarrel 22 is formed of a suitable material, such as a plastic. Theproximal end 25 includes an annular flange 31 used to grasp the barrel22 in order to dispense the fluid contained within the barrel 22. Thenozzle 26 opposite the proximal end 25 includes a tapered portion 27that extends into a passage 28 extending there through that terminatesat a dispensing end 29 out of which the fluid flows. Alternatively, theportion 27 can be straight and not tapered. In other syringeembodiments, such as the syringe 520 shown in FIG. 17 , may include adistal luer structure well known in the art and illustrated here as aluer-equipped apron 523 that has an inward-facing luer structure, wherea complementary outward facing structure may be (and indeed is) providedon certain applicator embodiments as described herein.

The syringe 20 also includes a plunger 30 that is inserted in the openend 25 of the barrel 22 within the annular flange 31. The plunger 30includes a body 32 having a rigid structure formed of a suitablematerial, such as a plastic, with an outer diameter slightly less thanthat that of the interior 21 of the barrel 22. The body 32 is formedwith mutually orthogonal ribs or splines 34 extending the length of thebody 32. The body 32 supports a cap or bung 36 disposed within thebarrel 22 that contacts and presses against the fluid within the barrel22 to force the fluid or material through the nozzle 26 when the plunger30 is pressed into the barrel 22.

Due to the construction of the neck 140 of the applicator 120, the neck140 can be inserted or force fit directly into the passage 28 of thenozzle 26 to secure the applicator 120 to the syringe 20, with the mainbody 138 functioning as a stop against the dispensing end 29 to limitthe distance the neck 140 can be inserted into the nozzle 26, as themain body 138 is formed with a diameter greater than the inner diameterof the nozzle 26. At least one of the barbs 178, 188 on the neck 140engages and is compressed by and against the interior of the nozzle 26to frictionally and sealingly engage the barbs 178,188 and the neck 140within the nozzle 26, thereby preventing the discharge of any fluid fromthe syringe 20 other than through the applicator 120. The engagement ofthe barbs 178,188 with the nozzle 26 is sufficient to withstand thepressures exerted on the applicator 120 when the plunger 30 is used todispense the fluid form the syringe 20. Further, as the neck 140includes barbs 178,188 having two distinct diameters, the neck 140 canbe engaged with nozzles 26 of various diameters, enabling the universalapplicator 120 to be utilized with various types of syringes 20 withoutthe need for specialized attachment caps or other unique structures.Therefore, in some embodiments, one barb or two barbs 178,188, or morebarbs, may be incorporated to be used with various types of syringes 20.

In addition, the total volume of the space 196 defined by the passages128,156,190 within the applicator 120 is minimized with thisconstruction of the applicator 120, consequently minimizing the amountof fluid or material that will be retained within the applicator 120after use. In testing the applicator 120 when dispensing BC sealer froma syringe 20 in a manner identically to that using in testing prior artapplicators, the applicator 120 results in only 38 mg of material losswhen dispensing the content of the syringe 20 in performing proceduresusing 35 mg of the BC sealer per procedure. Therefore, thepresently-disclosed applicator 120 will yield approximately 27procedures per syringe, even accounting for loss within applicators 120for each procedure. As such, the structure of the applicator 120 resultsin a 54% reduction in the waste material generated from the syringe 20,and a 59% increase in the procedures that can be performed using thesame amount of starting material over prior art applicator assemblagesor hubs.

Other embodiments of the applicator 120 can include versions where themain body 138 can be reduced in size, with the tip 126 being directlysecured to or formed on the lower surface 146 that extends across theneck 140, or where the main body 138 is omitted entirely and the tip 126is secured or formed directly as part of the neck 140. Alternatively,another embodiment of the applicator 120 can include versions where themain body 138 is increased in size to facilitate easier handling andmanipulation, but the passages 128,156,190 maintain their volume. Inaddition, as opposed to being formed from sloping surfaces, the barbs178,188 can be formed with other configurations, such as circumferentialribs, ridges or protrusions (not shown) having the selected diameters,or other similar and suitable structures.

With reference to FIG. 12 and other embodiments, the taper percent(defined as the difference in diameter of the circles that define endsof a frustoconical element, divided by the length between the circlesthat comprise the frustoconical element) of the at least onefrustoconical-shaped portion may be 20% to 180% in some embodiments, 25%to 120% in other embodiments, 30% to 80% in still other embodiment, and40%-60% in certain embodiments. As noted above, FIG. 12 whichdiagrammatically depicts a frustoconical shape containing a circle ofsmaller diameter D1, a circle of larger diameter D2, and an axiallylongitudinal length, L1, between the circles that define end boundariesof the frustoconical shape. As such the angle of the frustoconicalshape's taper (a) may be embodied as 30° to 85°, 40° to 80°, 60° and80°, and in certain embodiments, 65° to 75°. Additionally, fornon-limiting examples of embodiments including those configured toengage with a standard syringe having a luer-equipped apron around thedistal syringe nozzle, the max diameter of the larger circle, D2,comprising one end of a frustoconical shape (on its own as one of aplurality) may be 2.0 mm to 4.2 mm, 2.8 mm to 4.0 mm, or in someembodiments, 3.0 mm to 3.2 mm. In such embodiments these specificationsresult in an engagement length between the at least one frustoconicalelement 278 of the applicator tip and the syringe nozzle's innerdiameter of 0.5 mm to 15.0 mm, 1.0 mm to 7.0 mm, and in someembodiments, 1.5 mm to 6.0 mm. As such, in embodiments with thesedimensions, an engagement length between and along the applicator's luerlock threads and the syringe's luer lock threads may be 1.0 mm to 15.0mm, or in the range of 2.5 mm-9.0 mm. The length, L1, of the at leastone frustoconical shaped portion of certain embodiments will be in therange of 0.5 mm to 15.0 mm, in other embodiment in the range of 1.0mm-7.0 mm, and in the range of 1.5 mm to 6.0 mm in other embodiments.Additionally, the length of the hub portion of the applicator tip is maybe in the range of 2.5 mm to 12.0 mm in some embodiments, 4.5 mm to 7.0mm in some embodiments, and 1.5 mm 6.0 mm in some embodiments. Lastly,the applicator tip's hub portion, including the at least onefrustoconical shape, may be constructed of an injection moldable plasticresin that exhibits flexing characteristics to facilitate a betterfriction fit between the at least one frustoconical shape 278 and thesyringe's nozzle. Examples of suitable plastic resins includepolyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyamides, acrylonitrile butadienestyrene, polylactic acid, polystyrene, and/or polytetrafluoroethylene,amongst others. The plastic resin may optionally include pigments, dyes,or other light attenuating compounds which may be useful if theapplicator tip is used for dispensing light sensitive materials, such asdental composites, adhesives, cements, and/or epoxies, amongst others.

Another embodiment is described with reference to FIG. 13 , which showsa longitudinal cross-section view of an applicator tip 220. Theapplicator tip 220 includes a hub 222 and applicator end 226. The hub222 includes a body 238 with luer lock threads 239 configured to engagein a syringe's luer-equipped apron, wings to facilitate user grip formating of the tip to a syringe (wings not shown in FIG. 13 , becausethey are perpendicular to the illustrated cross-sectional plane, but maybe understood with reference to commonly-known structures including insample #1 of FIG. 14 ), and a frustoconical engagement structure 278.The luer threads 239 of the hub 222 are configured to engage with theinward-facing luer structure of a luer-equipped apron 523 around thenozzle 526 of a syringe. Specifically, the frustoconical engagementstructure 278 is in a non-limiting, but illustrative manner, depicted asincluding two circles of 1.1 mm and 3.2 mm diameters, which circles areseparated by a distance of 3.7 mm, so as to yield a taper angle (α) of74°. The applicator end includes stainless steel tubing 257 andpolyimide tubing 259 (joined to each other via an adhesive). Theapplicator end 220 may be joined with the hub using an adhesive, epoxy,weld, or other commonly used joining material/technique. As shown, afluid communication pathway 256 is configured through the length of theapplicator tip 220 so that that material from a connected syringe can beexpelled through the hub 222 to the distal terminal end of theapplicator end 226. In one example of such a embodiment, thefrustoconical shape is includes end circles of 1.1 mm and 3.2 mmdiameter, which are separated by a distance of 3.7 mm, thereby yieldinga taper angle, α, of 74°. In the example embodiment, the applicator endincludes stainless steel tubing 257 and polyimide tubing 259. A fluidcommunication pathway exists such that material from a connected syringecan be expelled through hub to the end of the applicator tip. Thisconfiguration will particularly be appreciated to minimize void spacethat is going to hold material in a non-deliverable position and therebylessen or minimize waste of that material by the combination of itsfrustoconical barb interface with a syringe nozzle and very-smalldiameter applicator end. Potential embodiments including inward-facingand outward structural features may further be appreciated withreference to U.S. application Ser. No. 29/692,825 (incorporated hereinby reference), although the proportions and overall ornamentalappearance of those embodiments, which include particular configurationsof lugs, wings, threads, and hub body geometries, are not dictated bythe structural and functional limitations described and illustrated inthe present disclosure.

It will be appreciated that the term “barb” used herein to describeengagement structure of the hub of various embodiments is not limited toa frustoconical shape. Additional designs within the scope of thepresent disclosure include the use of frustopyramidal shapes can be usedinstead of frustoconical shapes. To illustrate this in further detail,it is known that a horizontal cross section of the frustoconical shapeyields a circle, whereas a horizontal cross section of thefrustopyramidal shape yields a square or other rectilinear shape.Furthermore other designs may include a different frusto-polygonalshape, where a horizontal cross section of the frusto-polygon shape isdefined to yields a polygon having the number of sides and angles of thethree-dimensional frusto-polygonal structure. Additionally, the internalwall or bore (e.g., 156, 256, etc.) of the applicator tip's hub can bestraight-cylindrical or tapered. Furthermore, for example, an external6% taper may be advantageous to facilitate a tighter friction fit withstandard 6% luer taper syringes. The disclosed fluid path can bestraight, tapered, stepped, or various other geometries commonlyutilized in injection molding. The applicator tip can all be comprisedof one material or the applicator tip can be composed of at least twodifferent materials. For example, the hub, including the at least onefrustoconical shapes, can be injection molded from a suitable resin,while the applicator end might comprise a stainless steel cannula andmay further comprise another material such as a polymer tube. As onesuch example, the hub can be injection molded from a suitable resin,while the applicator end might comprise a stainless steel cannula matedwith a polyimide tube. Instead of stainless steel and polyimide, othermetal and polymeric/plastic materials can be used (e.g. aluminum, steel,brass, titanium, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC),polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), amongst others). Instead of luer lockthreads, standard tip lugs or any other functional structure can beutilized to engage the syringe luer lock threads.

Referring next to FIG. 14 , an experimental contrast is illustratedbetween current/prior art tips as compared to the tip 220 of FIG. 13(which is informative also with reference to other embodiments of thepresent disclosure). The left-hand column of FIG. 4 shows “SAMPLE 1” (aBC tip from Brasseler of Savannah, Ga.), “SAMPLE 2” (ViscoTip from VistaDental Products of Racine, Wis.), and “SAMPLE 3,” which is constructedin keeping with the FIG. 13 embodiment of a universal minimal waste tipdisclosed herein. The mass of each tip was measured pre andpost-extrusion of BC Sealer (from Brasseler of Savannah, Ga.) using ananalytical balance (from Sartorius of Goettingen, Germany) to calculatethe amount of material remaining within each tip after a deliverysyringe was fully discharged through the tip. The right column of FIG. 4shows the tips following extrusion of the sealer, and the mass ofmaterial remaining within each tip; the mass of material remainingwithin each tip is also illustrated in TABLE 1 below. Sample 1, Sample2, and Sample 3 had 144 mg, 53 mg, and 19 mg, respectively, of materialleft within each tip after use, which would be considered waste.Compared to Sample 1 and Sample 2, Sample 3 (presently-discloseduniversal minimal-waste tip) yields a material savings of 86.8%, and64.2%, respectively. Depending on the material and/or the type ofapplicator tip used, it might be advantageous to save various amounts ofmaterial. Therefore, the present inventive tip resulted in significantlyless material wasted compared to existing tips on the market. In apreferred embodiment, the Universal Minimal Waste Tip will yield amaterial savings of at least 20% compared to a standard applicator tip.In a more preferred embodiment, the Universal Minimal Waste Tip willyield a material savings of at least 40% compared to a standardapplicator tip. In an even more preferred embodiment, the UniversalMinimal Waste Tip will yield a material savings of at least 75% comparedto a standard applicator tip, where standard applicator tip refers tothe known/commercially-available products as of the time of thisdisclosure.

A similar comparative experiment to calculate the materials savingsusing an embodiment of the present disclosure was performed utilizingEmbrace Pit & Fissure Sealant (from Pulpdent of Watertown, Mass.) andTheraCal (from Bisco of Schaumburg, Ill.). Both these dental productsare commercialized with a 22 ga pre-bent applicator tip. The specificembodiment of the universal minimal waste tip utilized in thisexperiment was the embodiment as shown in FIG. 3 , however, theapplicator end was only a 22 ga pre-bent stainless steel cannula whichwas the same dimensions as those two comparison products. As such, allmaterial savings disclosed were solely due to the presently-disclosedapplicator tip's hub design and not due to variations in cannula sizeand/or length. Nevertheless, the mass of each applicator tip wasmeasured pre- and post-material extrusion to calculate the residualmaterial left within each applicator tip. Results are summarized inTABLE 1. Compared to the standard 22 ga pre-bent tips, the 22 gauniversal minimal waste tips (UMWT) saved 42.8% and 81.4% material ascompared, respectively to the Embrace Pit & Fissure Sealant and toTheraCal.

TABLE 1 Material savings of various dental materials utilizing variousembodiments of the disclosed universal minimal waste tip (UMWT) MassMaterial Wasted Savings Using Application Tip Material (mg) UMWT BC TipBC Sealer 143.9 86.8% ViscoTip BC Sealer 53.0 64.2% ViscoTip UMWT BCSealer 19.0 — 22ga Pre-Bent Tip Embrace Pit & 57.4 74.6% Fissure Sealant22ga UMWT Embrace Pit & 14.6 — Fissure Sealant 22ga Pre-Bent TipTheraCal 93.4 81.4% 22ga UMWT TheraCal 17.4 —

With respect to another embodiment, FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectionexample of an applicator tip 320, which is similar to that of FIGS. 2-9, except that the cannula end portion 326 has a different shape. Theapplicator tip 320 is comprised of a hub 322 and applicator end 326. Thehub 322 includes a body 338 and two barbs 366, 368 each of which isconstructed as a frustoconical shape directly adjacent to a cylinder ofreduced diameter (as compared to the largest circle comprising thefrustoconical shape) projecting from the body 338. Specifically, barb368 includes a frustoconical shape, with two circles of 1.8 mm and 2.25mm diameters separated by a longitudinal distance of 0.6 mm, whichyields a taper angle of 69°. Directly adjacent to the frustoconicalportion of barb 368 and separating it from barb 366 is a cylinder ofdiameter 2.1 mm and length 0.4 mm. Together, the frustoconical elementand adjacent cylinder comprise barb 368. Barb 366 includes afrustoconical shape, with two circles of 2.1 mm and 2.6 mm diameters,separated by a longitudinal distance of 0.6 mm, which yields a taperangle of 67°. Directly adjacent to the frustoconical portion of barb 368and separating it from hub body 338 is a cylinder of diameter 2.45 mmand length 0.4 mm. Together, the frustoconical element and adjacentcylinder comprise barb 366. The applicator end 326 includes a stainlesssteel tube. A fluid communication pathway 356 extends through the tip320 such that material from a connected syringe can be expelled throughthe hub to the end of the applicator tip. The barbs 366, 368 areconfigured to be received securely into the lumen/passage through thedistal nozzle of a syringe, with said secure attachment beingsufficiently strong to reliably resist displacement during delivery ofmaterial through the tip 320, while still providing an ability to beremoved while leaving the syringe in condition to have another tipattached thereto.

In another embodiment, FIG. 16 shows a longitudinal cross-section viewof an applicator tip 420. The applicator tip 420 includes a hub 422 andapplicator end 426 that is injection molded as a single piece from aplastic resin, similar to the embodiment of FIG. 10 . In one method ofproduction, the applicator tip 420 is injection-molded straight, andthen bent via post-process heat bending to a desired angle or curve. Thehub 422 includes a body 438 and one barb 466 which includes afrustoconical shape separated from the body 438 by a cylinder of reduceddiameter compared to the largest circle comprising the frustoconicalshape. In one sample embodiment, the barb is comprised of afrustoconical shape which is made from two circles of 2.06 mm and 2.54mm diameters separated by a distance of 1.4 mm, which yields a taperangle of 80°. As shown, a fluid communication pathway 456 is configuredsuch that material from a connected syringe can be expelled through thelength of the applicator tip.

As a means of testing, the applicator tip 420 shown in FIG. 16 was matedto multiple conventional syringes of varying internal nozzle diameters.This assembly was then subjected to a pull test to determine the amountof force required to separate the applicator tip from the mated syringe(this is defined as the fitment force), where the testing set-up isshown and described with reference to FIG. 17 . Because this applicatortip design does not incorporate luer lock threads, the only mechanismmating the applicator tip to the syringe is the friction force betweenthe applicator tip's frustoconical shape and the inner diameter of thesyringe nozzle. Each syringe was tested in at least triplicate with newapplicator tips used for each trial, using the testing set-up shown inFIG. 17 , which includes a syringe 520 with a plunger 532, proximalflange 531, barrel 522, and apron 523 with inward facing luer disposedaround the syringe nozzle (not shown, but readily understandable fromFIGS. 7-9 ). For each test of three or more “pulls,” a syringe 520 wasprovided, each tested applicator tip 420 had its hub 422 inserted intothe syringe nozzle until the nozzle's distal terminus contacted ornearly contacted the hub body 438. Then, a force gauge 579 was attachedto the applicator tip 420 and used to test the removal force for eachapplicator 420 by a “pull” separating the tip from the syringe.

Results of the tests are summarized below in TABLE 2 and illustrate adirect relationship between the barb overlap metric (defined assubtracting the syringe nozzle inner diameter from D2 of the device andas illustrated in FIG. 12 ) and the average pull force required toseparate the syringe and applicator tip. In other words, the greater theoverlap between the frustoconical shape's largest diameter, D2, and thesyringe nozzle's inner diameter, the better the friction fit between theapplicator tip and syringe, which means greater force will be requiredto separate the two parts. The fitment force between the disclosedapplicator tip and syringe is preferably equal to or greater than 5N,more preferably equal to or greater than 10N, even more preferably equalto or greater than 15N, and most equal to or preferably greater than20N.

TABLE 2 The applicator tip disclosed in FIG. 16 was mated with multiplesyringes of varying internal nozzle diameters. A pull test was performedto determine the amount of force required to separate the applicator tipfrom the syringe. Syringe Barb Force Needed to Separate Tip Nozzle IDOverlap No. of and Syringe/Fitment Force (N) (mm) (mm)* Trials AVE SD2.12 0.42 3 17.6 0.8 2.18 0.36 5 15.7 0.5 2.24 0.30 5 12.1 1.1 2.50 0.045 5.8 0.0 ID = inner diameter. *In this particular embodiment, the maxdiameter of the frustoconical shape, D2, is 2.54 mm. Therefore, the“barb overlap” was calculated by subtracting the syringe nozzle ID fromthe 2.54 mm value.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that embodiments not expresslyillustrated herein may be practiced within the scope of the claims,including that features described herein for different embodiments maybe combined with each other and/or with currently-known orfuture-developed technologies while remaining within the scope of theclaims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in ageneric and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitationunless specifically defined by context, usage, or other explicitdesignation. It is therefore intended that the foregoing detaileddescription be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting. And, itshould be understood that the following claims, including allequivalents, are intended to define the spirit and scope of thisinvention. Furthermore, the advantages described above are notnecessarily the only advantages of the invention, and it is notnecessarily expected that all of the described advantages will beachieved with every embodiment. In the event of any inconsistentdisclosure or definition from the present application conflicting withany document incorporated by reference, the disclosure or definitionherein shall be deemed to prevail unless expressly stated otherwise.

We claim:
 1. An applicator configured to be secured to a syringe fordirecting materials to be dispensed from the syringe, the applicatorcomprising: a hub defining a fluid passage therethrough, wherein the hubcomprises a lower surface and an upper surface, the upper surfaceincludes an aperture that communicates with the fluid passage, the fluidpassage containing at least three successively different concentricpassage sections of differing diameters, and including at least oneproximal barb thereon, the barb configured to frictionally engage aninterior of a syringe nozzle, the hub further comprising a neckextending outwardly from the lower surface of the hub and configured tobe inserted into the syringe nozzle, wherein the fluid passage narrowingaxially from a fluid inlet section of the neck to the aperture, andwherein the at least one barb is disposed on the neck; and an applicatortip extending distally from the aperture of the hub.
 2. The applicatorof claim 1 wherein the at least one barb is formed from a compressiblematerial capable of forming a fluid tight seal with the interior of thesyringe nozzle.
 3. The applicator of claim 1 wherein the at least onebarb has a non-frustoconical geometry.
 4. The applicator of claim 1wherein the at least one barb includes a sloped surface between a pairof circular edges respectively having a first diameter and a seconddiameter greater than the first diameter, forming a frustoconical shape.5. The applicator of claim 1 wherein the hub includes a main bodysecured to the neck and having a diameter greater than the neck.
 6. Theapplicator of claim 1 wherein the applicator tip is formed separatelyand secured to the hub, or wherein the applicator tip is integrallyformed with the hub.
 7. The applicator of claim 1 wherein the applicatortip includes a terminal structure opposite the hub selected from thegroup consisting of a brush, a pad, or flocked fibers.
 8. The applicatorof claim 1 further comprising a first barb and a second barb, whereinthe first barb forms a frustoconical shape having a sloped surfacebetween a pair of circles consisting of a first diameter and a seconddiameter, and, wherein the second barb forms a frustoconical shapehaving a second pair of circles consisting of a third diameter and afourth diameter.
 9. The applicator of claim 8, wherein the first barb isthe proximal barb.
 10. The applicator of claim 8, wherein the first andsecond barbs are distinct from the proximal barb.
 11. The applicator ofclaim 1, where the applicator tip extending distally from the hubcomprises at least two different materials.
 12. The applicator of claim1 wherein the fluid passage tapers inwardly from an inlet end to anoutlet end.
 13. A syringe assembly configured for dispensing a material,the syringe assembly comprising: a barrel defining an open end and adistal nozzle opposite the open end; a plunger disposed at leastpartially within the open end and including a bung sealingly engagedbetween the plunger and the barrel; an applicator including a hubdisposed at least partially within the nozzle and defining a fluidpassage therethrough, wherein the hub comprises a lower surface and anupper surface, the upper surface includes an aperture that communicateswith the fluid passage, the fluid passage containing at least threesuccessively different concentric passage sections of differingdiameters, wherein the fluid passage narrowing axially from a fluidinlet section of the neck to the aperture, the hub having at least onebarb thereon, which barb frictionally and sealingly engages an interiorof the nozzle, and an applicator tip extending outwardly from theaperture of the hub; dispensing material located in the barrel, whereinthe hub includes a neck inserted within the nozzle of the syringe, theneck extending outwardly from the lower surface of the hub and whereinthe at least one barb is disposed on the neck.
 14. The syringe assemblyof claim 13 wherein the at least one barb is formed from a compressiblematerial capable of forming a fluid tight seal with the interior of thesyringe nozzle.
 15. The syringe assembly of claim 13 wherein the neckincludes a first barb having a first diameter and a second barb spacedfrom the first barb and having a second diameter.
 16. The syringeassembly of claim 13 wherein the hub includes a main body secured to theneck having a diameter greater than diameter of the nozzle.
 17. Thesyringe assembly of claim 13, wherein the applicator tip extendingoutwardly from the hub comprises a stainless steel cannula mated with apolyimide tube.
 18. A syringe assembly configured for dispensing amaterial, the syringe assembly comprising: a barrel defining an open endand a distal nozzle opposite the open end: a plunger disposed at leastpartially within the open end and including a bung sealingly engagedbetween the plunger and the barrel, an applicator including a hubdisposed at least partially within the nozzle and defining a fluidpassage therethrough, wherein the hub comprises a lower surface and anupper surface, the upper surface includes an aperture that communicateswith the fluid passage, the passage containing at least threesuccessively different concentric passage sections of differingdiameters, wherein the fluid passage narrowing axially from a fluidinlet section of the neck to the aperture, the hub having at least onebarb thereon, which barb frictionally and sealingly engages an interiorof the nozzle, and an applicator tip extending outwardly from theaperture of the hub wherein the hub includes a neck inserted within thenozzle of the syringe, the neck extending outwardly from the lowersurface of the hub and wherein the at least one barb is disposed on theneck.